LYNNFIELD — The Pioneers’ season opener wasn’t what they hoped for, falling to visiting Masconomet Thursday in straight sets, 21-25, 23-25 and 19-25.
“Tonight it came down to who made the first mistakes and a lot of our best hits were great, but we ran into each other at times,” Lynnfield coach Brent Ashley said. “The whole match was fast. Masco runs a traditional, old-school volleyball [style] like we do. We know what to expect and they do, too, so it was a little fast.”
“It’s always been a really good rivalry with Lynnfield,” Masconomet coach Mike Scammon said. “We love going against them. Brent does a great job. We knew it was going to be a tough one and an intense one.”
The bright spot for the Pioneers was the play of sophomore libero Olivia Kelter and junior setter Erika Pasquale, who finished with eight kills.
“Olivia’s a shining star for us right now,” Ashley said. “Erika had a fantastic game, especially as she was playing with a little rolled ankle. When she got mad, she did some really cool things.”
The first set was back-and-forth from the get-go with neither team holding serve for more than a couple of points. Tied 20-20, the Chieftains rattled off the next four points to set up a set point. Senior Lilyana DeLeo kept the set alive with a soft winner off a deflection, but a Pioneer error on the next point sealed the set.
Neither team led by more than three points in the middle set. Tied 22-22, Masco won the next three points to take a 2-0 lead. Trailing 20-11, the Pioneers went on an 8-2 run to pull to within three at 22-19, the big shots being an Erin Higdon ace and two kills, a soft kill to space from Pasquale and a Chase Carangelo winner through a double block, but it was too little, too late.
Masco’s Remmi Cote had a match-high 17 assists.
“She had a great game tonight,” Scammon said. “All of the girls worked hard tonight.”
Lynnfield’s next match is Friday at North Andover (5). Masconomet (1-1) is back in action Monday at home against Newburyport (5:30).
